The Tobacco and Vapes Bill raises the legal age for buying tobacco by one ​year, every year, starting with people born on or after January 1, 2009, meaning ​affected age groups face a lifetime ban.

The law, which is due to receive ⁠royal assent next week, also tightens controls on vaping, including banning sales of vaping ​and nicotine products to under‑18s and restricting advertising, displays, free distribution and discounting.

The government says the ​measures will help reduce smoking and prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine, easing long-term pressure on the National Health Service.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the approval of the bill was a historic moment for ​the nation’s health.

“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected ​from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” he said.

“Prevention is better than cure – this reform will save lives, ‌ease ⁠pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”

Smoking causes about 64,000 deaths and 400,000 hospital admissions a year in England, according to official estimates, and costs the NHS around 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) annually, with wider economic costs exceeding 20 billion pounds.

Tighter rules on vaping

Vaping has ​also become a focus ​for policymakers, especially over ⁠concerns about youth uptake and nicotine addiction.

The government banned the sale of single-use or disposable vapes last year over concerns about youth use ​and environmental damage.

The new legislation will tighten those rules, with ministers gaining ​powers to ⁠regulate the flavours and packaging of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products through secondary legislation.

Around 10% of adults in Great Britain - an estimated 5.5 million people - use vapes, according to health charity Action on ⁠Smoking ​and Health, with levels broadly unchanged since 2024, suggesting ​growth has begun to plateau.

About half of the people who vape are former smokers, while around 40% continue to smoke alongside ​vaping, the charity said.